Most water heater problems are relatively easy to handle if you understand how a water heater works.

If you smell gas near the water heater, shut off the pilot light, close the gas shutoff valve, and call your gas utility for assistance. See our information on gas leaks.

Before draining and flushing your water heater, turn off the gas or electric power and let the water cool a little if you can. Close the incoming water valve and attach a hose to the drain valve to run the water into a large bucket, a drain, or outdoors.

Open the drain valve and open one hot water faucet somewhere in the house or apartment to let in air. When all water has drained from the water heater, turn the cold water valve on and off until the water from the drain runs clear. Then close the drain valve and the hot water faucet, open the cold water valve, and turn the water back on. This is a good time to test the temperature-pressure relief valve, which keeps pressure from building too much in the boiler. Lift or lower its handle. Water should drain from the overflow pipe.

Electric water heaters are generally less expensive to install than gas-fired types because they don't require venting. But unless you live in a region where electricity is unusually affordable, an electric water heater can be significantly more expensive to operate.

SAFETY FIRST:
* Set the temperature control to about 150 degrees F or lower if you have no dishwasher or if you have small children or elderly people in the home who might scald themselves.

To maximize your water-heating energy, it's a good idea to insulate your water pipes if they run a long way from your heater to faucets.

* Always shut off the power to an electric water heater before working on it.

* Do not work on an electric water heater if there is standing water pooled on the floor near the appliance. Shut off the circuit to the water heater and call an appliance repairperson.

TIP: For convenience at the kitchen sink, an instant hot water dispenser can provide almost-boiling hot water through a low-pressure spout at the touch of a lever.

These are essentially very small, on-demand electric water heaters that mount under the sink--or a similar spot--and heat water as it passes by interior electric coils.

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